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Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

DNA replication is initiated at sites containing predefined DNA sequences known as origins of replication. DNA is unwound at these sites by the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase and other factors such as Cdc45 and the associated GINS complex.The unwound single strands are protected by replication protein A (RPA) until DNA polymerase starts synthesizing DNA at the 5’ end of the strand in the same direction as the replication fork. To prevent the replication fork from falling apart, a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: August 30, 2024

How shelterin solves the telomere end-protection problem.

¹Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA. delange@rockefeller.edu

Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology

|January 7, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cells use the shelterin complex to protect natural chromosome ends from DNA damage. Mouse gene deletion experiments reveal how these pathways threaten chromosome ends and how shelterin prevents their activation.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: August 30, 2024

Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization

Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization

Published on: July 10, 2017

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Area of Science:

Genetics
Molecular Biology
Cell Biology

Background:

The human genome ends in TTAGGG repeats, forming telomeres.
Distinguishing natural chromosome ends from DNA double-strand breaks is a key challenge in chromosome biology.
McClintock's discovery of chromosome breakage-fusion-bridge cycles highlighted this problem.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate DNA-damage-response pathways that affect chromosome ends.
To understand how the telomeric shelterin complex protects chromosome ends.

Main Methods:

Mouse gene deletion experiments were conducted.
Analysis of DNA-damage-response pathways.
Investigation of the shelterin complex's role.

Main Results:

Identified DNA-damage-response pathways that pose a threat to chromosome ends.
Demonstrated that the shelterin complex prevents the activation of these pathways at telomeres.

Conclusions:

The shelterin complex is crucial for maintaining chromosome integrity by protecting telomeres.
Understanding these mechanisms is vital for addressing chromosome instability.